Microbrews are increasingly popular. In this file photo, a snapshot of President Obama's home brew: A honey ale and honey porter.Courtesy art

ZEELAND, MI – A microbrewery and restaurant could be moving into a vacant space in Zeeland’s downtown area, but first city leaders have to figure out how the proposed establishment fits into the city’s alcohol ordinance.

An unnamed applicant is putting together a site plan for the proposed microbrewery at 114 E. Main Ave., which has been vacant since Not So Shabby Antiques & Fine Furniture moved out earlier this year, relocating in Holland Township. The applicant is planning to seek an on-premises liquor license, city Marketing Director Abby deRoo said.

DeRoo told City Council members this week that the microbrewery would like to offer take-out sales of their own craft beer, which would be made on location. She said the rules regarding microbreweries and brew pubs differ from those regulating a typical on-site establishment.

“The State of Michigan does not require microbrews or brew pubs to possess take-out licenses, since the brewery is only selling product that they produce on-site,” she said.

While a take-out license isn’t needed, the applicant would still have to have the proposed brewery rezoned to allow for take-out sales under the city’s downtown zoning ordinance.

“This type of action would allow microbrews and brew pubs in the downtown but it would not allow for any other type of packaged sales,” deRoo said.

“The zoning ordinance does not distinguish between alcohol which is manufactured in the (downtown) zone district from alcohol which is manufactured by a third party,” City Attorney Jim Donkersloot said.

The applicant could also seek a use variance for off-premise sales if that person did not want to go through a rezoning process, Donkersloot said.

Among the options the city could consider is adding take-out sales to the alcohol overlay district, where on-site sales are already allowed, or rezone each property individually as applications are filed with the city, deRoo said.

Council members asked the Planning Commission to take a look at properties in the downtown area that could be rezoned for take-out sales and come back with a recommendation to the council. That discussion is expected to begin in early January, City Manager Tim Klunder said.

Meanwhile, Donkersloot will review the alcohol ordinance and see how the wording could be changed to allow only on-site license holders downtown to be able to sell alcohol for take out, Klunder said.

The Planning Commission and City Council would have to approve any changes to the ordinance.